Motorized swivel recliner
A reclining chair system that features a recliner motion mechanism used for positioning a reclining unit that includes a seat and a seat back having a fixed positional relationship to each other, including a gear rack adapted to receive a gear that travels in engagement with the gear rack, a gear shaft attached to the gear and driven by a drive motor for rotating the gear and causing it to move along the gear rack, a connection between the drive motor and seat that causes the seat back to move, as the gear travels along the gear rack, at least at the seat back's lower edge, and generally in the direction of the gear rack, and a fixed position curved track, adapted to be engaged by a follower, the follower being connected to the seat back at a position for causing a rotational movement of the seat back relative to a rotational axis of the gear, to guide the seat back during movement of the gear along the gear rack.
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The present invention relates to furniture. More particularly, this invention relates to furniture and apparatus, and methods for making the same, for positioning individuals in relaxing, comfortable, and/or healthful positions.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe term zero gravity positioning relates to the orientation of the legs above the level of the heart. It is also called the “90-90” position and the Trendleberg position. The latter term is commonly used in hospitals when a bed is positioned with the legs elevated in order to reduce tension and improve blood circulation. The term “zero gravity,” or “Z.G.,” stems from suggestions that the human body naturally assumes a similar orientation with respect to the legs when relaxed and suspended in weightlessness.
Chairs have existed since prehistoric times, and recliners have been manufactured for centuries. More recently, relatively speaking, chairs that pivot and chairbacks that fold have been developed. Another improvement consists of some form of leg support while a chair is in a reclined position.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONA family of reclining chair systems has been developed that features, in one aspect, a recliner motion mechanism used for positioning a recliner that includes a seat and a seat back having a fixed positional relationship to each other. According to various embodiments of the present invention, the recliner motion mechanism includes the following: a gear rack adapted to receive a gear that travels in engagement with the gear rack, a gear shaft attached to the gear and driven by a drive motor for rotating the gear and causing it to move along the gear rack, a connection between the drive motor and seat that causes the seat back to move, as the gear travels along the gear rack, at least at the seat back's lower edge, and generally in the direction of the gear rack, and a fixed position curved track, adapted to be engaged by a follower, the follower being connected to the seat back at a position for causing a rotational movement of the seat back relative to a rotational axis of the gear, to guide the seat back during movement of the gear along the gear rack.
According to various embodiments, the invention also includes a gear rack and the curved track adapted to move the seat and seat back into a zero gravity position, wherein the gear is positioned by the motor at a greater distance from a recliner base when the seat back is in a generally reclined position than when the seat back is in a generally upright position, and wherein the motor is powered by a battery. It will be understood by persons versed in the field that the motor may alternatively be powered, for example, using a power cord that plugs into a power outlet. Moreover, in embodiments using a power cord, for example, various precautions may be taken to prevent the undesirable winding of the cord around the chair.
Other embodiments include one or more of the following features. A base unit that supports a seat, wherein the base unit does not recline, the seat has a center of gravity, and the seat is operatively connected to a back support member and a leg support member, wherein the seat, back support member, and leg support member have a fixed relative position orientation to each other and can be reclined as a reclining unit from a generally upright sitting position to a reclined position, a motive drive including a motor that operates to move the center of gravity of the seat forward when shifting the unit to the reclined position, and a fixed position curved track, adapted to be engaged by a follower, the follower being connected to the back support member to guide the back support member down during forward movement of the center of gravity of the seat, wherein the motive drive and the curved track are adapted such that the reclined position is a zero gravity position and wherein the motor is positioned at a higher altitude level when the reclining unit is in the reclined position than when the unit is in the generally upright sitting position. A swivel mechanism is provided to permit the base unit to pivot at least partially, and preferably 360°, around a vertical axis. A battery is preferably provided to power the motive drive.
In still other embodiments, a reclining chair further includes a base unit that supports a seat, and the seat is operatively connected to a back support member and a leg support member, wherein the seat, back support member, and leg support member have a fixed relative position orientation to each other and can be reclined as a reclining unit from a generally upright sitting position to a reclined position, a motive drive element that operates to move the reclining unit from the generally upright sitting position to the reclined position, and a fixed track guide element, the motive drive element and the fixed track guide element adapted to permit a rotation of the reclining unit with a simultaneous forward translation of the reclining unit when the reclining unit is moving from the generally upright sitting position to the reclined position, wherein the base unit is adapted to permit the unit to pivot at least partially around a vertical axis.
The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout, and from the following detailed description and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Referring to
Referring to
According to various embodiments of the invention, the connection of backrest frame 205 to motion bracket 206, and the connection of motion bracket 206 to footrest frame 207, may be permanent and/or made before the recliner chair is purchased by a user. According to other embodiments, these components may be detachably connected to one another prior to purchase. In yet other embodiments, these components may be either detachably or permanently connected by a user following the purchase of the chair (e.g., in the convenience of the user's home). In this last case, as will be appreciated by those versed in the field, transport of the partially unassembled recliner chair will generally be easier than if the chair was constructed prior to transport (e.g., by a merchandiser or manufacturer prior to the purchase of the recliner chair). Additionally, in this case, separate upholstery can be added by, e.g., the manufacturer or the user, for many or all of the various parts of the recliner chair (e.g., the backrest frame 205, the seat of the recliner chair, the footrest frame 207, the armrest 220, etc).
Moreover, according to the invention, footrest frame 207 is designed for easy access to and from the chair. Mounted to motion bracket 206 is a motor 211. Motor 211 drives a shaft attached to a gear 213, which moves along a straight rack 215 within the armrest 220. According to various embodiments of the invention, straight rack 215 is made of a rigid material, such as steel. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in
When gear 213 is positioned at the bottom of straight rack 215 as illustrated in
As the seat moves down curved track 225, and up rack 215, the backrest is reclined following the arch of curved track 225. The end points of curved track 225 and straight rack 215 are important as they define the two key positions of the zero gravity recliner. The particular shape of curved track 225 dictates the amount and speed of travel from a fully upright to a fully reclined position. Armrest 220 also includes a “V” shaped section 227 of the carriage, and a tubular cross member 228 of the carriage. Member 228 connects with a swivel point 229, about which the seat can pivot up to 360° (or more) on base 230. In this example, base 230 is a domed circular disk formed of cast aluminum or other suitable material. The pivoting action at base 230 is achieved by a swivel mechanism 235. A side panel 240 (constructed from, e.g., wood) hides the working parts of armrest 220 and bolts on to V section 227 of the carriage at, in this illustrative embodiment, three attachment points. The remaining four attachment points, one of which is indicated as attachment point 242 in
Referring to
Referring to
The recliner described herein can be placed in many (e.g., in essence, an infinite number of) positions between the upright and reclined positions shown in
The upright position shown in
The starting point for this chair, in the illustrated embodiment shown in
The straight rack 215 and direct drive in this new design provides the mechanical power for this chair within a small amount of space. The angle of the straight rack 215 speeds the lifting of the seat and the user's legs, reduces slightly the space requirements, and reduces stress on the motor 211 when returning from the Z.G. reclined position.
Referring to
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While there have been shown and described examples of the present invention, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims. Accordingly, the invention is limited only by the following claims and equivalents thereto.
Claims
1. A recliner motion mechanism used for positioning a recliner that includes a seat and a seat back having a fixed positional relationship to each other, comprising:
- a gear rack adapted to receive a gear that travels in engagement with the gear rack;
- a gear shaft attached to the gear and driven by a drive motor for rotating the gear and causing it to move along the gear rack;
- a connection between the drive motor and the seat that causes the seat back to move, as the gear travels along the gear rack, at least at the seat back's lower edge, and generally in the direction of the gear rack; and
- a fixed position curved track, adapted to be engaged by a follower, the follower being connected to the seat back at a position for causing a rotational movement of the seat back relative to a rotational axis of the gear, to guide the seat back during movement of the gear along the gear rack.
2. The recliner motion mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the gear rack and the curved track are adapted to move the seat and seat back into a zero gravity position.
3. The recliner motion mechanism according to claim 2, wherein said gear is positioned by the motor at a greater distance from a recliner base when the seat back is in a generally reclined position than when the seat back is in a generally upright position.
4. The recliner motion mechanism according to claim 3, wherein said drive motor is powered by a battery.
5. A reclining chair, comprising:
- a base unit that supports a seat, wherein the base unit does not recline, the seat has a center of gravity, and the seat is operatively connected to a back support member and a leg support member, wherein the seat, back support member, and leg support member have a fixed relative position orientation to each other and can be reclined as a reclining unit from a generally upright sitting position to a reclined position;
- a motive drive including a motor that operates to move the center of gravity of the seat forward when shifting the unit to the reclined position; and
- a fixed position curved track, adapted to be engaged by a follower, the follower being connected to the back support member to guide the back support member down during forward movement of the center of gravity of the seat.
6. The reclining chair according to claim 5, wherein the motive drive and the curved track are adapted such that the reclined position is a zero gravity position.
7. The reclining chair according to claim 6, wherein the motor is positioned at a higher altitude level when the unit is in the reclined position than when the unit is in the generally upright sitting position.
8. The reclining chair according to claim 7, wherein the base unit includes a swivel mechanism and the reclining unit can pivot at least partially around a vertical axis.
9. The reclining chair according to claim 8 where in the reclining unit can pivot 360°.
10. The reclining chair according to claim 8, wherein said motive drive is powered by a battery.
11. The reclining chair according to claim 5 where the back support member, in the upright position, is inclined slightly in a forward direction.
12. A reclining chair, comprising:
- a base unit that supports a seat, and the seat is operatively connected to a back support member and a leg support member, wherein the seat, back support member, and leg support member have a fixed relative position orientation to each other and can be reclined as a reclining unit from a generally upright sitting position to a reclined position;
- a motive drive element that operates to move the reclining unit from the generally upright sitting position to the reclined position; and
- a fixed track guide element, the motive drive element and the fixed track guide element adapted to permit a rotation of the reclining unit with a simultaneous forward translation of the reclining unit when the reclining unit is moving from the generally upright sitting position to the reclined position.
13. The reclining chair according to claim 12, wherein the base unit is adapted to permit the unit to pivot at least 360° around a vertical axis.
14. The reclining chair of claim 12 wherein the fixed track is a straight track.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 26, 2004
Publication Date: Apr 27, 2006
Applicant: NEPSCO, Inc. (Lexington, MA)
Inventors: Allen Sheldon (Lexington, MA), Nathaniel Smith (Holliston, MA)
Application Number: 10/973,589
International Classification: A47D 1/02 (20060101);